Duterte believes the 'likes of Escudero, Bongbong Marcos' will be better successor

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 14) — President Rodrigo Duterte said the likes of Senator Francis "Chiz" Escudero and former Senator Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos are better off as successors to the presidential post.

In a dinner with Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP) officials Tuesday night, Duterte said Vice President Leni Robredo does not have what it takes to lead the country.

(Translation: I am not engaging in a fight with women. I'm not even replying to what they are saying. What I said, I think deep in my heart, if you follow the succession and Robredo takes over, she cannot do it.)

Meanwhile, the Liberal Party (LP), Robredo's party, said it is not up to Duterte to decide on who will take his place when he steps down.

In a statement issued Wednesday, the party said "the Constitution clearly provides that it (successor) should be the Vice President."

"The repeated threat of resignation also denigrates the presidency and the mandate given by the voters," the statement read. "The highest post in the land should not be treated like a club membership he can drop when he feels tired."